Divot repair tool

ABSTRACT

A divot repair tool includes an elongated main body having a raised lip section and an upper surface onto which one or more cavities are located. Each of the cavities including a first connector. One or more elongated prongs include a teardrop-shaped first end, and a second connector that removably engages the first connector of a single cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No.62/072,883 filed on 30 Oct. 2014, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to sporting goods, and moreparticularly to a device for use in the game of golf to repair divots.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

The game of golf is one of the most widely played sports activities inthe world. Golf courses typically include either 9 or 18 holes, eachcomprising a teeing ground, a fairway area, one or more roughs (andother hazards), as well as a putting green where the hole is located.

Once the golf ball is on the green, a specialized golf club called aputter is used by the golfer. Putters are designed to strike a golf ballin a manner that keeps the ball on the ground, thereby ensuring greateraccuracy. In this regard, it is important that the putting green bemaintained with a smooth and uniform surface. However, putting greenscan be damaged when golf balls are hit from a distance and drop onto thesurface of the green. The landing of the ball can produce adepression/divot in the surface of the green, which can seriously affectthe ability of the golfer to accurately putt.

There are several known tools for attempting to repair a divot. Thesetools typically include a plurality of straight shafts that are insertedinto the turf at a 45 degree angle, until the distal end of the tool islocated beneath the divot. At that time, the user must bend the deviceso that the portion of the tool under the damaged turf can move upward.This process must be repeated several times as the user must repeat theprocedure in a circular pattern around the perimeter of the divot.Unfortunately, by repeatedly puncturing the turf surrounding the divot,these tools often create brown, dead patches of grass or bare exposedsoil. This type of action tears the roots from the upper leaf andcreates an air pocket between them. When this occurs, the turf isdamaged and typically takes at least a month for the green to fullyrecover.

In addition to the above, golf courses employ groundskeepers whomaintain the golf course. It is the responsibility of thesegroundskeepers to repair divot marks that are not corrected by thegolfers. In this regard, groundskeepers utilize essentially the sametools as described above, and must bend down to address multiple divotseach day. This process can be burdensome to the groundskeepers, as theconstant bending can cause back pain and other discomfort over time.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a divot repair tool whichcan allow a user to quickly and easily repair divot marks withoutdamaging the turf, as described above. Moreover, it would also bebeneficial to provide a divot repair tool which can eliminate the needfor the user to repeatedly bend and kneel to the ground in order to usethe same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a divot repair tool. One embodimentof the present invention can include an elongated main body having araised lip section and an upper surface onto which one or more cavitiesare located. Each of the cavities can include a first connector forreceiving an elongated prong. The invention can also include one or moreelongated prongs which can have a teardrop shape first end, and a secondconnector that is configured to removably engage the first connector ofa single cavity.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include a plurality ofelongated prongs having identical or different shapes, sizes,construction materials and ends.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include an elongatedwand that is removably secured to the bottom end of the main body.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not toidentify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should beappreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of a divot repair tool that is usefulfor understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body of the divot repair tool,in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front side view of an elongated prong of the divot repairtool, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the divot repair tool in operation, andin accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the divot repair tool, in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the divot repair tool, in accordancewith yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thedescription in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. Although described with respect to thegame of golf, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not to beconstrued as limiting to any particular sport or usage, as many otherapplications are contemplated.

As described herein, the term “indicia” can include any type ofdecorative elements such as colors, markings, words, shapes, symbols,logos, designs, types of materials, texturing of materials, patterns,images, lithographs, photographs and/or jewels such as rubies, diamonds,emeralds and the like. The indicia can be secured onto and/or into thedevice elements in accordance with known techniques so as to be flushwith the surface, or can be raised/protruding outward from the surfaceso as to give a three dimensional effect.

As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivativesthereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or moreobjects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow thesame objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.

Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the inventionor elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only thosereference numerals are shown in the individual figures which arenecessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes ofthis description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,”“vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to theinvention as oriented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is an exploded parts view of one embodiment of a divot repairtool 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein. As shown, the tool 10 can include a cap 15, a mainbody 20, and one or more elongated prongs 30.

The cap 15 can include an elongated, generally hollow member having atop end 15 a, a hollow middle section 15 b and a bottom end 15 c havingan opening 15 d. The bottom end 15 c can include a dimension thatcorresponds to the lip of the main body described below. When insertedonto the main body 20, the cap 15 functions to enclose any insertedprongs 30, in order to prevent the same from causing injury or damage topersons and property when the device is not in use. The cap 15 can beconstructed from any number of suitable materials such as plastic ormetal, for example, and can include any desirable indicia.

Owing to the complementary diameters of the cap opening and the mainbody lid, the cap can preferably be snapped onto the main body andmaintained in place by friction. Of course, other embodiments are alsocontemplated wherein a connector such as threaded elements, for example,can be included on both the cap and the main body.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the main body 20 that includes anelongated, member having a bottom end 21 a middle section 22, and a topend 23. A raised lip section 24 can extend upwards from the top end ofthe main body and can include an upper surface 25 having one or morecavities 26 disposed thereon. Each of the cavities 26 can function toengage an elongated prong 30, described below. In this regard, each ofthe cavities can include a first connector 26 a that is configured toengage a complementary/second connector 33 a that is disposed along thebottom end of an elongated prong.

Although illustrated as including five cavities in a generally circulararrangement, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not solimiting. In this regard, the tool 10 can include as few as one cavity,and as many additional cavities as can be constructed to fit onto theupper surface. Each of these cavities can include an unlimited number ofdifferent shapes, depths, and arrangements along the upper surface, soas to be able to accommodate prongs of various shapes and sizes, in anunlimited number of different orientations. In this regard, by providingmultiple cavities, the tool user can selectively insert and/or removeprongs in order to adjust the total number of prongs on the device forany desirable activity. As such, not only are the shape and/or type ofpins adjustable, the total number of pins are also adjustable by theuser.

As described herein, the main body can preferably be constructed from alightweight waterproof material such as plastic, for example; however,any number of other materials such as steel, aluminum and/or variouscomposite materials are also contemplated. The main body can function asa handle for the device user, and can be manufactured in any number ofdifferent shapes and dimensions such as various lengths, widths and/orthicknesses, for example. Additionally, the main body can include anynumber of indicia to suit a variety of interests. Although notillustrated, an optional belt clip or other such retention device can besecured to, or included with the construction of the main body, and canfunction to allow a user to easily carry the device on their person.

In the preferred embodiment, the first and second connectors can includea plurality of embedded elements forming complementary screw threads onboth the main body and the elongated prong(s) in order to allow thelater to be secured onto the former. Threaded elements having lands andgrooves for securing complementary objects together via a twistingmotion are extremely well known in the art.

Although described above as utilizing threaded elements, this is forillustrative purposes only, as the first and second connectors caninclude any number of different elements capable of repeatedly securingtwo items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimitingexamples include magnetic elements and compression fittings such assnaps, for example. Each connector can be permanently secured to therespective portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue,resin, adhesive tape, or can be molded into the construction of the itemso as to comprise a unitary element, in accordance with knownconstruction methodologies.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an elongated prong 30 which can besecured onto the main body 20 and utilized to repair a pitch mark/turfdivot. As shown, the prong 30 can include a top end 31, an elongatedshaft section 32, and a bottom end 33 having a complementary connector33 a. In the preferred embodiment, top end 31 can include a generallyteardrop shape, and the entire prong can be constructed from a sturdyand impact resistant material such as steel, for example, however otherforms of metal, plastic and/or composite materials are alsocontemplated.

By providing a teardrop-shaped distal end, each prong can be insertedinto the central portion of a divot in a vertical (i.e., 90 degree anglewith the ground), and can restore the damaged turf to a straight andlevel playing surface with a single attempt. In this regard, FIG. 4illustrates one embodiment of the device in operation to repair damagedturf. As shown, the pointed distal section 31 a of each prong can easilypenetrate organic material such as a golf course green 40 (see arrow a).Once positioned beneath the green surface, the broad proximal tipportion 31 b of each prong can engage a large section of turf, and whenthe tips are pulled upward (see arrow b), can assert an upward motion(arrows b′) onto the bottom of the turf, thereby restoring the turf to aflat and level orientation. In this regard, a single tool can utilizemultiple prongs to restore large portions of turf in a single step. Assuch, the collateral damage to the turf caused by the tool is severelyless than utilizing a conventional device.

In addition to the above, the prongs of the tool can also be inserted atan angle from the outside edge of the divot/ball mark and then pushingor levering the upper part of the tool forward and stretching new grassin over the damaged area. This action can be repeated all around theball mark. When so performed, the tool functions to cover the divot areawith new ground, thus preventing an air pocket from forming (as happenswith conventional divot repair tools) thus ensuring the turf does notbecome damaged and/or die.

Although the prong(s) 30 are described above as including a particularshape and construction material, the tool 10 can include any number ofprongs each having a different shape and/or size and/or constructionmaterial. As such, FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the tool 10that includes the above described teardrop shaped prong 30, andadditional prongs 51, 52, 53 and 54 having different shapes. As shown,the prongs can be arranged in any orientation to one another, and caninclude any number of different shapes, sizes and constructionmaterials.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the tool 10 that furtherincludes an elongated wand 60 that is configured to engage the main bodyof the tool, in order to allow a user to repair divot marks without theneed to bend or kneel. As shown, the wand 60 can include an elongatedmember having a plurality of threaded elements 61 along a first end 62.The wand can include any length, and can be constructed from anysuitable material such as wood, metal or plastic, for example.

In the present embodiment, the main body 20′ can include a bottom endhaving an aperture 65 and a plurality of threaded elements 66 disposedtherein. Threaded elements 61 and 66 being complementary to one another,so as to allow the first end of the wand 62 to be secured within theaperture 65. Of course, any number of other connectors, as describedabove can be used with, or substituted for the threaded elements, inorder to allow the wand and the main body to be joined together in anonpermanent manner.

Alternatively, the wand 60 and the main body 20′ can be constructed froma single piece of material and/or permanently secured together so as toform a single, inseparable body.

As described herein, each element of the divot repair tool can beconstructed from any number of different materials such as plastic,steel or aluminum, for example, which are durable and resistant toadverse weather conditions. Additionally, one or more elements of thedevice 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of knownattachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compressionfittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the aboveembodiments have been described as including separate individualelements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting.To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or moreindividual elements of the device may be formed together as onecontinuous element, either through manufacturing processes, such aswelding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece ofmaterial milled or machined with the aforementioned components formingidentifiable sections thereof.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the presentinvention, the same should be apparent from the above description.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage andoperation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A divot repair tool, comprising: an elongated main body having abottom end, a middle section, and a top end; a raised lip section thatextends upwards from the top end of the main body, said lip sectionincluding an upper surface; one or more cavities that are disposed alongthe upper surface, each of said one or more cavities including a firstconnector; and at least one elongated prong, each of the at least oneelongated prongs having a top end, a middle section, a bottom end, and asecond connector that is configured to removably engage the firstconnector of a single cavity.
 2. The tool of claim 1, furthercomprising: a cap that includes an elongated, generally hollow memberhaving an aperture located along a bottom end thereof, said apertureincluding a dimension that is complementary to a dimension of the raisedlip section, and being configured to engage the same in a removablemanner.
 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the top end of each of the atleast one elongated prongs include a generally teardrop shape.
 4. Thetool of claim 1, wherein said first and second connectors include aplurality of embedded elements forming complementary screw threads thatare configured to engage via a twisting motion.
 5. The tool of claim 1,wherein said first and second connectors include at least one of a pairof opposing magnetic elements, and compression fittings.
 6. The tool ofclaim 1, wherein said one or more cavities comprises a single cavity,and said at least one elongated prong includes a single prong having atop end with a teardrop shape.
 7. The tool of claim 1, having aplurality of cavities, and a plurality of elongated prongs, each ofwhich including a top end having a teardrop shape.
 8. The tool of claim1, having a plurality of cavities, and a plurality of elongated prongs,wherein one of said elongated prongs includes a top end that isdifferent from another of the elongated prongs.
 9. The tool of claim 1,having a plurality of cavities, and a plurality of elongated prongs,wherein one of said elongated prongs includes a middle section having atleast one of a shape and a construction material that is different fromanother of the elongated prongs.
 10. A divot repair tool, comprising: anelongated main body having a bottom end, a middle section, and a topend, said bottom end including an aperture having a third connectordisposed therein; a raised lip section that extends upwards from the topend of the main body, said lip section including an upper surface; oneor more cavities that are disposed along the upper surface, each of saidone or more cavities including a first connector; and at least oneelongated prong, each of the at least one elongated prongs having a topend, a middle section, a bottom end, and a second connector that isconfigured to removably engage the first connector of a single cavity.11. The tool of claim 10, further comprising: an elongated wand having afourth connector along a first end, said fourth connector beingconfigured to removably engage the third connector and to secure thefirst end of the wand within the aperture of the main body.
 12. The toolof claim 10, further comprising: a cap that includes an elongated,generally hollow member having an aperture located along a bottom endthereof, said aperture including a dimension that is complementary to adimension of the raised lip section, and being configured to engage thesame in a removable manner.
 13. The tool of claim 10, wherein the topend of each of the at least one elongated prongs include a generallyteardrop shape.
 14. The tool of claim 10, wherein said first and secondconnectors include a plurality of embedded elements formingcomplementary screw threads that are configured to engage via a twistingmotion.
 15. The tool of claim 10, wherein said first and secondconnectors include at least one of a pair of opposing magnetic elements,and compression fittings.
 16. The tool of claim 10, wherein said one ormore cavities comprises a single cavity, and said at least one elongatedprong includes a single prong having a top end with a teardrop shape.17. The tool of claim 10, having a plurality of cavities, and aplurality of elongated prongs, each of which including a top end havinga teardrop shape.
 18. The tool of claim 10, having a plurality ofcavities, and a plurality of elongated prongs, wherein one of saidelongated prongs includes a top end that is different from another ofthe elongated prongs.
 19. The tool of claim 10, having a plurality ofcavities, and a plurality of elongated prongs, wherein one of saidelongated prongs includes a middle section having at least one of ashape and a construction material that is different from another of theelongated prongs.